Monday, November 26, 2007

Radio City Christmas Spectacular (The SOB Review) - Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY***1/2 (out of ****)Practically daring the kid-at-heart in everyone not to come out, The Radio City Christmas Spectacularis one of those unabashedly cheery paeans to the true meaning of Christmas that stupefies with its exhilarating pace. And darned if it doesn't succeed.

Thanks to Linda Haberman's whiz-bang wizardry -- she's responsible for conception, direction and choreography -- The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is an eye-popping, breathtaking 90-minute variety show that simply refuses to slow down -- except perhaps for the glorious finale of the beloved and legendary "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" when the Rockettes gradually topple like dominos.

It's been at least a dozen years since I last took in one of Radio City Music Hall's most enduring spectacles, but with its diamond anniversary celebration coupled with the current Broadway stagehands strike, it was a no-brainer when opting to venture from the theatre district between 7th and 8th Avenues over to 6th Avenue to enjoy the festivities. And enjoy them I did like a gleeful little schoolboy regaining my lost innocence.

Replete with a magical Santa (lovingly portrayed by Charles Edward Hall) in duplicate no less, the seemingly inexhaustable and ever-smiling Rockettes (in a half dozen numbers, including my favorite, "The Twelve Days of Christmas") and the trademark living nativity scene, the Spectacular remains pretty much the way I remembered it. But sure enough, with one old-fashioned magical moment after another, it managed to make me feel like a kid again.

Visually enchanting, whether watching the aforementioned scenes or the stunning 3-D animation of Santa's sleigh flying around the landmarks of New York City, or even hitching a ride with the Rockettes on their double decker bus as they tour the Big Apple (thanks to an amazing LED video design), there's almost too much to look at on New York City's largest stage.

Unapologetically Christmas, the Spectacular is all about spreading holiday cheer. And in these days where conflict is gripping the world and most of the Great White Way, it's great to know that a little peace on earth is less than a smile (and one long block) away.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular is performed several times each day through December 30.

3 Comments:

I'm glad the show brought out the kid in you! I really enjoyed taking a tour of Radio City in April and I'd love to see a performance there sometime. For your readers who can't get to the show, NBC is airing an hourlong special on the Christmas Spectacular Saturday night at 8, in honor of the 75th anniversary.

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About Me

As someone who has been involved in both politics and public relations, it's no wonder I love watching theatre. Good or bad, it's the raw energy of seeing a live performance that gets my adrenaline pumping. From the moment I saw my very first Broadway show ("Annie" in London in 1979), I was hooked. Now I see as many as 70 shows each year ranging from soaring musicals to two-hander plays. And these eyes just may be in an audience near you!